Page 12 The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010

FRANCE

Krop student studies abroad in Paris

Wanting to study in a foreign country, Krop student Maria Estrada, exchanged her junior year to study at Institut Sainte Geneviève, a high school in Paris, France.

Estrada studied French for two years prior to leaving, but was overwhelmed when she first arrived at the school.

“Everyone was speaking so quickly and I couldn’t understand anything anyone was saying,” Estrada said.

Estrada was nervous about making friends but, despite the language barriers, she felt welcomed by her new classmates from the first day.

At Institut Sainte Geneviève, Estrada faced both the language difficulties and the extremely rigorous curriculum.

“The level of analysis that they do in their French class seems like something you would do in a college literature class,” Estrada said. “It is

literally leaps and bounds over anything that would be expected of [American students].”

At Estrada’s school, exams are only given once a week on a different subject. Her French literature exam, which takes up to four hours, is her longest.

A sample homework assignment is to analyze a half page text from a 17th century French play for rhetorical devices. None of her assignments are typed.

“One of the biggest differences between the French and American system is that the American system is very technological while the French system is very old fashioned,” Estrada said.

In many of the classrooms in Estrada’s school the teachers are still using chalkboards.

Première, the equivalent of 11th grade in France, is especially important because it is the first year when French students are on a specialized academic track that will determine their future careers.

There are three tracks

to choose from: literature, economic, and scientific.

Estrada, who is on the literature track, takes ten hours of French literature classes a week but only an hour and a half of science classes.

High school students in France also prepare for The Baccalaureate (BAC), the American equivalent of the SAT.

Students take a BAC for each subject that they learn, however, the track that they are on determines the difficulty of each BAC.

For example, a student on the Scientific track would have a more difficult math BAC than a student on the Literary track.

“The track you take will determine what BAC you will take, and that will determine what colleges even look at you,” Estrada said.

There are no preparation classes for the BAC but some French students do have tutors to help them prepare. Students take their first few BACs in Première, and according to

Estrada many of her classmates are already freaking out.

“They make note cards for every singe French lesson to study for the BAC,” Estrada said.

Students apply to universities based on the track and BAC they took.

“If I were to compare the school systems in both the US and France, I would definitely say that the French are ahead when it comes to the workload and the depth of what is taught in class, Estrada said. “On the other hand, the American school system is based not on making us work like maniacs and know everything, but more on the idea of making us well-rounded individuals, capable of succeeding in whatever career and work environment we may choose in the future. Though this year is such an exciting adventure, I can say, without a single doubt in my mind that I will be returning for my senior year to Krop, with its American school system and everything.”

by Leigh Markowitzstaff writer

SCHEDULES

A Day of School: Comparing Krop (US) with China, Mexico, & France

7:20-9:20 a.m. Class 19:20-9:25 a.m. Homeroom9:30-12:15 a.m.

Class 2

10:45-11:25 a.m.

1st Lunch

11:30-12:15 a.m.

2nd Lunch

12:20-2:20 p.m.

Class 3

6:50-11:40 a.m.

4 Classes

11:40-1:00 p.m.

Lunch Break

1:00-4:30 p.m.

4 Classes

8:15-9:15 a.m. Class 19:15-10:30 a.m.

Class 2 Library Time

10-30- 12:30 a.m.

Class 3

2:30-1:15 p.m.

Lunch

1:15-2:15 Class 42:15-3:15 Class 53:15- 4:15 Class 6

7:00- 7:50 a.m.

Class 1

8:00- 8:50 a.m.

Class 2

9:00-9:50 a.m. Class 310:10-11:00 a.m.

Class 4

11:10-12:00 a.m.

Class 5

12:10-1:00 p.m.

Class 6

1:10-2:00 p.m.

Class 7

ENGLAND

Q & AArt teacher Derek Piliotis

from London answers questions about education at his school.

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Compiled by Nathalie Prieto and Alexandra Feuerman

FRANCECHINAKROP (US) MEXICO

Please include the name and location of the school, as well as your position and the subject you teach.

Somerset College of Arts and Technology

Wellington RoadTauntonSomerset TA1 5AXPosition: Course Leader,

Graphic Design (Lecturer)

What is the bell schedule? (How long does each class last? How long are breaks?)

9.15 am to 3.45pm- ClassMorning break: 11.00am to 11.30am1.00pm to 2.00pm- Class

What is the method for select-ing classes? Do students have a lot of freedom in picking their own classes and organizing their own schedules?

All classes are chosen by staff. Students have basically no free-dom in selecting their classes.

How are the high school stu-dents prepared for college? Is there a special program for select-ing their future studies (major in college)? What standardized tests do they take?

Advice is given by teachers based on a particular specialism ability, showing aptitude and tal-ent. There are no tests but I would assess their portfolios to judge their suitability for the course.

How rigorous are the courses? What is the homework load?

There is one day a week for private study when all homework should be done. Throughout the course there are some 16 projects which are each marked, and stu-dents must pass each project.

Comments: We are constantly revising parts of the curriculum in line with the future professional needs of students going into the world of art and design.

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